Finalists Announced for York Early Music International Young Artists Competition July 2013

The 2013 York Early Music International Young Artists Competition will welcome musicians from 16 different countries around the world to the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM), York from 11 - 13 July as part of the 2013 York Early Music Festival.

The biennial Competition, which is recognised as a major international platform for emerging talent in the early music world, offers a major boost to professional careers with opportunities for performance, recording and broadcasting. The ten finalists are:

Delma Tomlin MBE, Director of the NCEM explains: "We are absolutely thrilled with this year's response and are looking forward to welcoming a real wealth of international talent to York for what promises to be a very exciting three days. The Competition is very much about developing excellence in these early music ensembles at the outset of their careers. We are passionate about providing highly professional and experienced advice and guidance across all performing disciplines in a nurturing and inspiring environment."

Each ensemble will present a short recital under the guidance of the distinguished singer, coach and language specialist, Richard Jackson, as well as taking part in the Competition which will be judged by: Laurence Cummings, conductor and harpsichordist; Bart Demuyt, director of the Laus Polyphony Festival in Antwerp and of the Alamire Foundation; Philip Hobbs, classical recording producer and engineer, Linn Records; Wieland Kuijken, one of the most influential pioneers of the viola da gamba and the composer and performer Stevie Wishart.

The winners will receive a cheque for £1,000; opportunities to work with BBC Radio 3 and feature on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show; a concert as part of the 2014 York Early Music Festival and a CD recording professionally produced by Linn Records. Special prizes include the EUBO Development Trust Prize for the most promising young artist(s) and York Early Music Festival Friends Prize.

The Competition is supported by the National Centre for Early Music, BBC Radio 3 and Arts Council England, Yorkshire.

Ends

Press Contact:

Shona Galletly, on behalf of National Centre for Early Music

E: shona@shonagalletlypr.co.uk

M: 07813 796 733

www.ncem.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

The York Early Music International Young Artists Competition, previously known as the Early Music Network IYAC, has for more than two decades attracted young artists from all over the world. Previous winners include I Fagiolini; Florilegium (previously Musikfreunde); Palladian Ensemble, Stile Antico, Le Jardin Secret, Ensemble Meridiana and 2011 winners Profeti della Quinta.

Laurence Cummings, conductor and harpsichordist, who has been Music Director of the London Handel Festival since 1999 and was appointed Music Director of the Internationale Händel-Festpiele Göttingen in 2011

Bart Demuyt, director of the Laus Polyphony Festival in Antwerp and of the Alamire Foundation (International Centre for the study of Music in the Low Countries) based at Leuven University, Belgium

Philip Hobbs, classical recording producer and engineer for Linn Records, who has worked extensively in the area of 'authentic' performance, and has enjoyed long collaborations with the Palladian Ensemble, The Tallis Scholars, the Avison Ensemble, The King's Consort and Dunedin Consort

Wieland Kuijken, one of the most influential pioneers of the viola da gamba, whose name is synonymous with stylistically accurate performances of Baroque music along with his brothers Sigiswald (violin) and Barthold (flute).

Stevie Wishart, composer, performer and improviser who explores medieval and contemporary extremes, using ancient instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, as well as electronic and computer music technologies. She has appeared throughout Europe, USA and Australia.